Method and apparatus for retrieving content via a service endpoint

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for retrieving ordered content via a service endpoint. A radio frequency memory tag is preloaded with content managed by a service platform. A request is generated for content stored on the radio frequency memory tag of an endpoint associated with the service platform. Transmission of the request to the endpoint is initiated. The request for the content is received from a user equipment. Transmission of the content is initiated from the memory tag to the user equipment. The user equipment receives the content from the memory tag in response to the request.

BACKGROUND

Service providers and device manufacturers are continually challenged todeliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providingcompelling network services. These services can include selling anddistributing content. However, these services often lack effective andefficient ways to distribute content.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment, a method comprises preloading a radiofrequency memory tag with content managed by a service platform. Themethod also comprises receiving a request from a user equipment for thecontent. The method further comprises initiating transmission of thecontent from the memory tag to the user equipment.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least oneprocessor, and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus to preload a radiofrequency memory tag with content managed by a service platform. Theapparatus is also caused to receive a request from a user equipment forthe content. The apparatus is further caused to initiate transmission ofthe content from the memory tag to the user equipment.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage mediumcarrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to preload aradio frequency memory tag with content managed by a service platform.The apparatus is also caused to receive a request from a user equipmentfor the content. The apparatus is further caused to initiatetransmission of the content from the memory tag to the user equipment.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forpreloading a radio frequency memory tag with content managed by aservice platform. The apparatus also comprises means for receiving arequest from a user equipment for the content. The apparatus furthercomprises means for initiating transmission of the content from thememory tag to the user equipment.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a request forcontent stored on a radio frequency memory tag of an endpoint associatedwith a service platform. The method also comprises initiatingtransmission of the request to the endpoint. The method furthercomprises receiving the content from the memory tag in response to therequest.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least oneprocessor, and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate a requestfor content stored on a radio frequency memory tag of an endpointassociated with a service platform. The apparatus is also caused toinitiate transmission of the request to the endpoint. The apparatus isfurther caused to receive the content from the memory tag in response tothe request.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage mediumcarrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to generate arequest for content stored on a radio frequency memory tag of anendpoint associated with a service platform. The apparatus is alsocaused to initiate transmission of the request to the endpoint. Theapparatus is further caused to receive the content from the memory tagin response to the request.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forgenerating a request for content stored on a radio frequency memory tagof an endpoint associated with a service platform. The apparatus alsocomprises means for initiating transmission of the request to theendpoint. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving thecontent from the memory tag in response to the request.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention arereadily apparent from the following detailed description, simply byillustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations,including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Theinvention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and itsseveral details can be modified in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, andnot by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of retrieving content via aservice endpoint, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of the components of a user equipment capable ofretrieving content via a service endpoint, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of the components of a memory tag for use in aservice endpoint, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for dispensing content via a serviceendpoint, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a process for retrieving content via a serviceendpoint, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a user interface utilized in the processes ofFIG. 3, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can beused to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

A method and apparatus for retrieving content via a service endpoint aredisclosed. In the following description, for the purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It isapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of theinvention may be practiced without these specific details or with anequivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of retrieving content via aservice endpoint, according to one embodiment. Users can purchase or beauthorized to retrieve content via an internet-based service using userequipment (UE) 101 and a connection to the service. However, due toconnection restrictions (e.g., rates, bandwidth, costs, etc.) and/orconnection failures (e.g., out of range, out of country service area,etc.) it is not feasible to guarantee connection to the service.

To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces thecapability to retrieve content ordered through the service via a serviceendpoint containing or having access to the content. In someembodiments, the content can be preloaded to the service endpoint.Additionally, the service endpoint can be bounded to a location and canprovide a reliable connection to a user. Thus, instead of transmittingdata from a service connectivity facility (e.g., a web server) via longdistances, the user can use a local delivery channel (e.g., a serviceendpoint) with the preloaded content. In one embodiment, the serviceendpoint includes an image of a set of the information contained by theservice. In another embodiment, the service endpoint stores informationsuch as the image using a radio frequency (RF) memory taginfrastructure. A population of RF memory tags can form the serviceendpoint. Thus, the image can be stored among the population byscattering copies of collaborating agents to the tags. An agent can be apointer or a process that runs on memory tags and on a memory tag readerto provide positional knowledge to enhance collaboration.

Under the scenario of FIG. 1, the system 100 includes UEs 101 a-101 nhaving connectivity to a service platform 103 via a communicationnetwork 105. Additionally, the UE 101 can communicate with a serviceplatform endpoint 107 a-107 n via wireless or a wired communication. Theservice platform endpoint 107 can have access to the service platform103 via the communication network 105 or can be operated in a solitaryor stand-alone mode of operation. In one embodiment, the serviceplatform 103 and service platform endpoint 107 can include content suchas music, video, other media, applications, games, or the like that canbe bought, subscribed to, or consumed for free. The UE 101 can utilize acontent application 109 a or a store application 109 n to access theservices of a service platform 103. The service platform endpoint 107 acan utilize a RF memory tag 111 to store information as well as transmitinformation to a UE 101. The UE 101 may include one or more readerscapable of reading the RF memory tags 111.

By way of example, radio frequency technologies are short range wirelesscommunication technologies that enable the exchange of data betweendevices over short distances (e.g., a range of 4 inches to 3 yards). Ingeneral, these technologies comprise two primary components, a tag(e.g., attached to an object or service platform endpoint 107) and areader (which can be implemented with the UEs 101 a-101 n).Communication between the reader and the tags occur wirelessly and maynot require a line of sight between the devices. The tag is, forinstance a small microchip that is attached to an antenna. The tags canvary in sizes, shapes, and forms and can be read through many types ofmaterials.

Moreover, the tags may be passive tags or active tags. Passive tags aregenerally smaller, lighter, and less expensive than active tags. Passivetags are activated when within the response range of a reader. Thereader emits a low-power radio wave field that is used to power the tagso as to pass on any information that is contained on the chip. Somepassive tags operate, e.g., below a 100 MHz frequency and the maintransfer energy is carried by a magnetic field. A magnetic field cangenerate voltage in an antenna coil that can be used as a power supply.Additionally, high frequency passive tags that operate at, e.g., 900 MHzand 2.45 GHz ranges can be used. These high frequency tags can support afaster data stream (e.g., 1.6 Mb/s or 2 Mb/s data streams). In oneexample, two signals are transmitted by the reader, a power signal and adata signal. Active tags differ in that the tags incorporate their ownpower source to transmit rather than reflect radio frequency signals.Accordingly, active tags enable a broader range of functionality likeprogrammable and read/write capabilities.

A reader typically contains a transmitter, receiver, control unit, andan antenna. The reader performs three primary functions: energizing thetag, demodulating and decoding the returned radio signal. In certainembodiments, a reader includes an additional interface to convert thereturned radio signal to a form that can be passed to another systemsuch as a computer or programmable logic controller.

In one embodiment, a UE 101 can access (e.g., purchase, request, order,etc.) content from a service platform 103 via the communication network105. The UE 101 (e.g., a personal computer or mobile device) can accessthe content for the UE 101 itself or for another UE 101 (e.g., a mobiledevice). The UE 101 can then, for instance, synchronize with the serviceplatform 103 to obtain agents that can be used to retrieve the contentfrom a service platform endpoint 107. In some embodiments, the serviceplatform endpoint 107 already has the content preloaded. In otherembodiments, the service platform endpoint 107 is sent the content fromthe service platform 103 after the order is completed. In thisembodiment, the service platform 103 can send the UE 101 availabilityinformation that informs the UE 101 of when the information will beavailable on the service platform endpoint 107. In one example, the UE101 can retrieve the content from one of many service platform endpoints107. In this example, the content can be common to multiple serviceplatform endpoints 107, thus not requiring data to be transmitted from aservice platform 103 to a service platform endpoint 107. A user cancheck to see if a particular static service platform endpoint 107 (e.g.,one without a connection to a service platform 103) has the specificcontent. To receive the content, the UE 101 can then retrieve locationand/or authentication information for the content from multiple serviceplatform endpoints 107.

In another example, the UE 101 can retrieve content directly from amonga plurality of service platform endpoints 107. In this example, the UE101 can order the content from a service platform 103. Then, the UE 101can receive agents that can be used to retrieve content from each of theservice platform endpoints 107. In this example, different content canbe received at each location. For example, a user can plan a trip to acity to visit museums and monuments. The user can order tourist contentfor the city and then have the option to retrieve content at museums orlandmarks that the tourist actually visits. Service platform endpoints107 may be located throughout the city.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a user equipment 101 havingconnectivity to a service platform 103 via a communication network 105.By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includesone or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wirelessnetwork (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combinationthereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local areanetwork (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN),a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitablepacket-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietarypacket-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-opticnetwork. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, acellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanceddata rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service(GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocolmultimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system(UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g.,microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, codedivision multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network(MANET), and the like.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portableterminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimediatablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer,Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combination thereof. It isalso contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface tothe user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).

By way of example, the UE 101 and the service platform 103 communicatewith each other and other components of the communication network 105using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, aprotocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes withinthe communication network 105 interact with each other based oninformation sent over the communication links. The protocols areeffective at different layers of operation within each node, fromgenerating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selectinga link for transferring those signals, to the format of informationindicated by those signals, to identifying which software applicationexecuting on a computer system sends or receives the information. Theconceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging informationover a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected byexchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1)header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2)payload information that follows the header information and containsinformation that may be processed independently of that particularprotocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer informationfollowing the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.The header includes information such as the source of the packet, itsdestination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by theprotocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocolincludes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with adifferent, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for aparticular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocolcontained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to beencapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in apacket traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet,typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2)header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4)header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7)as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of the components of user equipment 101 capable ofretrieving content via a service endpoint, according to one embodiment.By way of example, the UE 101 includes one or more components forretrieving content via a service platform endpoint 107. It iscontemplated that the functions of these components may be combined inone or more components or performed by other components of equivalentfunctionality. In this embodiment, the UE 101 includes a power module201, a service interface module 203, a memory tag reader module 205, amemory module 207, a content cache 209, a user interface 211, and aruntime module 213.

The power module 201 provides power to the UE 101. The power module 201can include any type of power source (e.g., battery, plug-in, etc.).Additionally, the power module can provide power to the components ofthe UE 101 including processors, memory, and transmitters.

In one embodiment, a UE 101 includes a service interface module 203. Theservice interface module 203 is used by the runtime module 213 tocommunicate with a service platform 103. In some embodiments, theservice interface module 203 can be used to access, request, or purchasecontent from the service platform 103. Additionally, the serviceinterface module 203 can synchronize the UE 101 with a correspondingmember account associated the service platform 103. During thesynchronization process, the UE 101 receives data that can be used toretrieve content from a service platform endpoint 107. The data caninclude services that provide information about an area of passiveinformation of a service platform endpoint 107 allowing searching overthat area. The area information can include an index or other filesystem location information that can determine where the content isstored. This area information can be stored by the runtime module 213 ina memory module 207.

In one embodiment, a UE 101 includes a user interface 211. The userinterface 211 can include various methods of communication. For example,the user interface 211 can have outputs including a visual component(e.g., a screen), an audio component, a physical component (e.g.,vibrations), and other methods of communication. User inputs can includea touch-screen interface, a scroll-and-click interface, a buttoninterface, etc. A user can input a request to upload or receive data andapplications via the user interface 211. Additionally, the userinterface 211 may be used to request synchronization from the serviceplatform 103 or content from the service platform endpoint 107.

In one embodiment, a UE 101 includes a memory tag reader module 205. Thememory tag reader module 205 can include an antenna and transceiver tosend and receive data from a memory tag 111. The memory tag readermodule 205 can also include a second antenna and transceiver to sendpower to a passive memory tag 111. A runtime module 213 can receiveinformation from the memory tag reader module 205 and store theinformation in a memory module 207. Additionally, the runtime module 213can store content read or received by the memory tag reader module 205in a content cache 209. In one example, the content is an applicationand the runtime module 213 can execute the application. In anotherexample, the content is a media object and the runtime module 213 canplay or display the media object via the user interface 211.

FIG. 2B is a diagram of the components of a memory tag 111 for use in aservice endpoint, according to one embodiment. By way of example, thememory tag 111 includes one or more components for providing content orproviding access to content to a UE 101. In one embodiment, the memorytag 111 is included within the service platform endpoint 107. It iscontemplated that the functions of these components may be combined inone or more components or performed by other components of equivalentfunctionality. In this embodiment, the memory tag 111 can include apower and clock extraction module 221, a transceiver 223, a data codecand buffering module 225, a processor 227, a phase change memory 229, afile system 231, and an energy harvesting module 233.

In certain embodiments, the phase change memory 229 is a type of memorythat can retain stored information even when not powered. It iscontemplated that other non-volatile candidate memory technology can beutilized in addition to or in place of the phase change memory 229.Examples of memory technologies capable of being considered non-volatilecandidate memory include Phase change memory (PRAM) 229, Resistive RAM(ReRAM), Magnetic RAM (MRAM), solid-electrolyte (SE) memory,Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), organic and polymer memory. Additionally,these technologies can enable a radio frequency memory tag basedenvironment to provide efficient, seamless utilization by the UE 101 asit moves from reading one memory block to another. Memory devicesrespectively based on any one of these memory technologies can have itsown respective response time and data persistence characteristics uniqueto the respective technology. There may also be other respective memorycharacteristics, such as requirements for error correction codes (ECC),signal patterns, or data formatting that can be of beneficial use invarious embodiments.

In one example, the memory tag 111 has a power and clock extractionmodule 221. A reader device (e.g., a UE 101) can send a continuous wavesignal that can be received by the power and clock extraction module 221to generate a voltage supply using an energy harvesting module 233. Theenergy harvesting module 233 can include an antenna coil to produce amagnetic field to transfer energy. In other examples, the energyharvesting module 233 can use a battery, other power harvesting methods(e.g., harvesting light energy) or another power supply. The clock usedby the power and clock extraction module 221 can come from the samesignal used for power generation or a different signal transmitted bythe reader device. The clock can be used by a transceiver 223 to sendand receive data to the reader device. A data codec and buffering module225 can be used to access a phase change memory 229. In someembodiments, a processor 227 (e.g., a simple finite state machine, amicrocontroller, or other processor) can control the transceiver 223,the data codec and buffering module 225, and interface with the phasechange memory 229. Phase change memory 229 can range from bytes tomegabytes to gigabytes or more. The phase change memory 229 can alsohave a file system 231. Additionally, the file system 231 can be anindex or be included in metadata of phase change memory 229. Agentslocated on one phase change memory 229 can point to additional datalocated on a second phase change memory 229.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for dispensing content via a serviceendpoint, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the serviceplatform endpoint 107 performs the process 300 and is implemented in,for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shownFIG. 6. In one embodiment, the service platform endpoint 107 isassociated with one or more memory tags 111 to perform the process 300.In other embodiments, the service platform endpoint 107 is a memory tag111 including a processor capable of performing the process 300. In theprocess 300, the service platform endpoint 107 makes content availablefor purchase, request, order, or access. By way of example, the contentcan be tied to a user account administered by the service platform 103.This can be achieved by modifying an account profile to include a flagidentifying the content as requested and available to the user.

At step 301, the service platform endpoint 107 preloads the content(e.g., media files, document files, web links, etc.) onto one or more RFmemory tags 111 associated with the service platform endpoint 107. Inone embodiment, the content may be preloaded by the service platform 103or the service provider at a factory or other facility beforeinstallation of the memory tags 111 at the service platform endpoint107. It is also contemplated that the memory tags 111 may be updatedwith new content periodically or as new content becomes available. Morespecifically, the service platform endpoint 107 may have connection tothe service platform 103 over the communication network 105 to obtainand/or receive new or updated content from the service platform 103. Theservice platform endpoint 107 then directs a microcontroller or otherprocessor 227 of the memory tag 111 to store the content (e.g.,existing, new, or updated content) in, for instance, the phase changememory 229 of the memory tag 111.

By way of example, the service platform endpoint 107 may be a kiosklocated at shopping center offering a variety of music downloads linkedto multiple memory tags 111 displayed or affixed to the kiosk. In oneembodiment, the service platform 103 manages the specific contentoffered at the service platform endpoint 107. In other words, theservice platform 103 can transmit (e.g., via the communication network105) or otherwise deliver the content or updates to the content to theservice platform endpoint 107 for loading onto the one or more memorytags 111 associated with the endpoint 107. The content on a singlememory tag 111 can be a subset of a complete content and the memory tag111 can have information about another memory tag 111 (e.g., associatedwith either the same service platform endpoint 107 or another serviceplatform endpoint 107) that contains another portion of the completecontent. For example, a self-guided tour of a city may be purchased fromthe service platform 103 and delivered via multiple memory tags 111associated with multiple service platform endpoints 107 locatedthroughout the city. In this way, as a user tours the city, the user canretrieve additional guide content as the user moves from one location tothe next.

At step 303, the service platform endpoint 107 receives a request fromthe UE 101 for access (e.g., purchase, request, order, etc.) to thecontent available at the endpoint 107. For example, the request caninclude a signal to activate a memory tag 111 of the service platformendpoint 107 and to initiate a process for reading the content of therequested memory tag 111. Generally, the memory tags 111 of the serviceplatform endpoint 107 are in a passive state (e.g., an unpowered statein which the content of the memory tag 111 cannot be read) by default.Then, at step 305, the service platform 107 may activate the memorytag(s) 111 corresponding to the request based on the received signal. Inother embodiments, the signal itself can activate (e.g., provide powervia an RF carrier wave) the memory tag 111 so that the memory tag 111can be placed in a state to dispense content to the requesting UE 101.

Next, at step 307, the service platform endpoint 107 can (e.g., as partof the request) receive a location of the content from the userequipment. The endpoint 107 can then use this location information tomore efficiently and specifically initiate the transmission of thecontent from the appropriate memory tag 111. In one embodiment, thelocation of the content can refer to the specific phase change memory229 bank that contains the content when the memory tag 111 includesmultiple phase change memories 229, or to the specific memory tag 111that contains the content when the service platform endpoint 107 isassociated with multiple memory tags 111. In one embodiment, the serviceplatform 103 can provide the content location information to the userequipment to direct the user equipment to the appropriate phase changememory 229 or memory tag 111 containing the content. For example, a userequipment may access a content directory of the service platform 103 tosearch for content. In response, the service platform 103 indicates tothe user the content location associated with an endpoint 107 from whichthe user equipment may obtain the content.

Additionally, at step 309, the received request can provide informationfor authenticating that the UE 101 to access to the requested content.In one embodiment, the memory tag 111 of the service platform endpoint107, at step 311, can determine whether the UE 101 has properauthentication credentials to receive the content. The service platformendpoint 107 can determine if the proper authentication credentials aremet by, for instance, comparing the received credentials to a set ofauthorization rules. In one embodiment, the runtime module 213 of the UE101 can provide authentication information via the memory tag readermodule 205 and then request a copy of a file system 231 of the serviceplatform endpoint 107 to locate the content. This can help synchronizegaps in storage locations between the information the UE 101 obtainedfrom the service platform 103 and the current state of information atthe service platform endpoint 107. The service platform endpoint 107 canthen buffer and transmit the content via the memory tags 111. In certainembodiments, the service platform endpoint 107 may include or beassociated with active memory tags 111 (e.g., memory tags withself-contained power supplies). The service platform endpoint 107 canhave a power supply whether the memory tags 111 associated with theendpoint 107 are passive or active. In the scenario of an active serviceplatform endpoint 107 using active RF memory tags 111, actions betweenthe UE 101 and memory tag 111 can be more interactive. Additionally, theactive service platform endpoint 107 can search the memory tags 111 forthe content. Interactions between the UE 101 and the service platformendpoint 107 can be similar to interactions between the UE 101 and theservice platform 103. For example, in some embodiments, it iscontemplated that the active memory tags 111 have sufficientcomputational power to host an agent and/or content to providefunctionality equivalent to that of the service platform 103.

Next, at step 313, the service platform endpoint 107 initiatestransmission of the content from the memory tag 111 to the userequipment 101. In one embodiment, the transmission can be based at leastin part on a determination of whether the UE 101 is authorized toretrieve the content. The service platform endpoint 107 can gatherinformation about the location of the content (e.g., the phase changememory 229 or memory tag 111 containing the content) from informationreceived from the UE 101. The service platform endpoint 107 can thenprioritize the transaction process based on the location information.The prioritization of the transaction process (e.g., searching for andbuffering content data to be sent) can be driven by either the UE 101(e.g., via a transceiver and finite state machine of a memory tag 111)or the service platform endpoint 107. By way of example, the serviceplatform endpoint 107 initiates transmission of the first portion of therequested content from the memory tag 111 to the UE 101. At step 315,the endpoint 107 determines that a second portion of the requestedcontent is available on another memory tag 111 and initiatestransmission of the location of the second portion of the content to theUE 101 (step 317). The runtime module 213 of the UE 101 then uses thisinformation to drive the process of receiving the remaining content. Theinformation exchange between the service platform endpoint 107 and theUE 101 can be via a scheduler loop used by the UE 101 to retrieveinformation across multiple memory tags 111 associated with the serviceplatform endpoint 107. For example, if the location of the secondportion of the content is at a different physical location, the endpoint107 directs UE 101 to the new location. Once the UE 101 reaches the newlocation, the service platform endpoint 107 at the new location caninitiate transmission of the second portion of the content from a memorytag 111 associated with the endpoint 107 at the new location. At step319, the service platform endpoint 107 finalizes the informationexchange using a message exchange (e.g., a transaction completeacknowledgement) received from the UE 101. In one embodiment, at step321, the service platform endpoint 107 and the memory tags 111associated with the service platform endpoint 107 can be returned to apassive stage once the information exchange is finalized. This passivestage can save energy costs for the service platform endpoint 107.

With the above approach, a service platform endpoint 107 can dispensecontent to a UE 101 via a RF memory tag 111 interface. This can reducethe energy, time, resource, and monetary costs of completing thetransfer from a service platform 103 to the UE 101. Additionally, theuser can receive the content in areas with limited service (e.g., wherethe UE 101 is unable to receive a data connection) to the serviceplatform 103. Thus, the user can access the content from an off-the-bandservice platform endpoint 107 dispensing the content.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a process for retrieving content via a serviceendpoint, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the runtimemodule 213 of a UE 101 performs the process 320 and is implemented in,for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shownFIG. 6. A user purchases, requests, or orders content from a serviceplatform 103. For example, the user can use a UE 101 or another means(e.g., another UE 101, computer, etc.) to order or purchase the content.In one embodiment, the content is available to the user as part of aservice account with the service platform 103 (e.g., a online store suchas the Ovi Store).

At step 341, the runtime module 213 synchronizes service informationwith the service platform 103 according to profile information andpreferences associated with the user's account. During thesynchronization, the runtime module 213 can, for instance, receiveinformation about the locations of service platform endpoints 107 thatoffer content from the service platform 103. Alternatively oradditionally, the runtime module 213 may select the service platformendpoint 107 from which the user desires to receive content. Asdiscussed earlier, the service platform endpoints 107 are associatedwith memory tags 111 containing all or a portion of the contentavailable from the service platform 103. By way of example, the runtimemodule 213 may directly download content from the memory tags 111 of theendpoints 107 without needing a connection (e.g., a data connection) tothe service platform 103. Additionally, at step 343, the runtime module213 can receive information about the location of the content on theservice platform endpoint 107. This location information specifies, forinstance, the phase change memory 229 or memory tag 111 containing therequested content. Also, at step 345, the runtime module 213 can receivenecessary security parameters or authentication information to retrievethe content. Moreover, the runtime module 213 may also receiveavailability information of the content on the service platform endpoint107 from the service platform 103 (step 347).

At step 349, the runtime module 213 generates a request for contentstored on one or more of the memory tags 111 of a service platformendpoint 107 associated with the service platform 103. The UE 101 cangenerate the request based on information gathered during thesynchronization step 341. For example, the request can includeauthentication information and/or information specifying the location ofthe content. The user of the UE 101 can go to the location of theservice platform endpoint 107 to retrieve the content.

Next, at step 351, the runtime module 213 initiates transmission of therequest to the service platform endpoint 107 via the memory tag readermodule 205. In one embodiment, initiating transmission includes sendinga power signal to the memory tag 111 and creating a channel via atransceiver. The power signal can additionally serve as an activationsignal to activate the service platform endpoint 107. In one embodiment,at step 353, the runtime module 213 transmits an activation signal tothe service platform endpoint 107. In another embodiment, the UE 101need not power the memory tag 111 because either the service platformendpoint 107 or the memory tag 111 includes a power source. The runtimemodule 213, at step 355, can initiate communications between the UE 101and service platform endpoint 107 by initiating transmission ofauthentication information to the service platform endpoint 107. Forexample, the communications can begin using a Join/Leave messageexchange and a corresponding Link redirector message to complete ahandshaking authentication procedure. Next, at step 357, the runtimemodule 213 initiates transmission of the location of the content (e.g.,as received from the service platform 103) to the service platformendpoint 107. The service platform endpoint 107 can determine thecontent to send based on the location information. In one embodiment,the user interface 211 of the UE 101 can display a variant of theservice platform 103 user interface during communications between the UE101 and the service platform endpoint 107 and memory tags 111. In thisway, the experience of retrieving content from the service platformendpoint 107 approximates the user experience received when directlyaccessing the service platform 103.

Then, at step 359, the runtime module 213 can receive the content fromthe memory tag 111 in response to the request. Additionally, theinformation exchange can be in the form of a scheduler loop over atransport protocol queue to transfer the entirety of the content. Thescheduler loop can be used to retrieve information across multiplememory tags 111 associated with the service platform endpoint 107 orwith another service platform endpoint 107. During the scheduler loop,the runtime module 213 can request additional portions of the contentwhich are partitioned across the multiple memory tags 111. The runtimemodule 213 can receive information about the location of the nextportion of the content from the memory tag as part of the response tothe request and then request that next portion using the location. Then,at step 361, the runtime module 213 can receive a second portion of thecontent from a second memory tag. In one embodiment, the runtime module213 finalizes the information exchange by a message exchange with thememory tag 111 and/or service platform endpoint 107. More specifically,as part of the message exchange, the runtime module 213 initiatestransmission of an acknowledgement that the content has been transferredsuccessfully from the memory tag 111 to the UE 101 (step 363). The UE101, after receiving the content, may refresh its content index and anyassociated play lists to include the received content.

With the above approach, a user can retrieve content from a serviceplatform endpoint 107 via a memory tag 111 interface. This approach can,for instance, reduce the energy, resource, and monetary costs ofcompleting the transfer over a longer range communication network (e.g.,via the cellular service of the communication network 105).Additionally, the user can receive the content in locations with limitedlong range service or where the long range service is inadequate. Theuser also can access the content in an intuitive and familiar way byaccessing an off-the-band service platform endpoint 107 in a similarmanner to accessing a service platform 103.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a user interface utilized in the processes ofFIG. 3, according to one embodiment. The user interface 400 can be inthe form of an interface similar to that used to connect to a serviceplatform 103. Through the user interface 400, the user is able tointuitively access content on a service platform endpoint 107. When theuser arrives at a service platform endpoint 107, the user can activatean application 109 to retrieve content. The user interface 400 candisplay an identifier 401 that indicates that the UE 101 of the userinterface 400 is connected to a service platform endpoint 107.Additionally, the user interface 400 can display previously requestedcontent (e.g., a free song 403, a bought song 405, a video trailer 407,or a bought movie 409). The UE 101 can be pre-synchronized with theservice platform 103 so that the UE 101 will have information on thelocation and authentication information for the requested content on theservice platform endpoint 107. Thus, a user can order the content at alocation unrelated to the service platform endpoint 107 and retrieve thecontent from the service platform endpoint 107.

The processes described herein for retrieving content via a serviceendpoint may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g.,general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplaryhardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 upon which an embodiment of theinvention may be implemented. Computer system 500 is programmed (e.g.,via computer program code or instructions) to retrieve ordered contentvia a service endpoint as described herein and includes a communicationmechanism such as a bus 510 for passing information between otherinternal and external components of the computer system 500. Information(also called data) is represented as a physical expression of ameasurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, inother embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic,pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic andquantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or azero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of abinary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higherbase. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states beforemeasurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or moredigits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number orcode for a character. In some embodiments, information called analogdata is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within aparticular range. Computer system 500, or a portion thereof, constitutesa means for performing one or more steps of retrieving ordered contentvia a service endpoint.

A bus 510 includes one or more parallel conductors of information sothat information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus510. One or more processors 502 for processing information are coupledwith the bus 510.

A processor 502 performs a set of operations on information as specifiedby computer program code related to retrieving ordered content via aservice endpoint. The computer program code is a set of instructions orstatements providing instructions for the operation of the processorand/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, forexample, may be written in a computer programming language that iscompiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code mayalso be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machinelanguage). The set of operations include bringing information in fromthe bus 510 and placing information on the bus 510. The set ofoperations also typically include comparing two or more units ofinformation, shifting positions of units of information, and combiningtwo or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplicationor logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Eachoperation of the set of operations that can be performed by theprocessor is represented to the processor by information calledinstructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. Asequence of operations to be executed by the processor 502, such as asequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, alsocalled computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions.Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic,optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or incombination.

Computer system 500 also includes a memory 504 coupled to bus 510. Thememory 504, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamicstorage device, stores information including processor instructions forretrieving ordered content via a service endpoint. Dynamic memory allowsinformation stored therein to be changed by the computer system 500. RAMallows a unit of information stored at a location called a memoryaddress to be stored and retrieved independently of information atneighboring addresses. The memory 504 is also used by the processor 502to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions.The computer system 500 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 506 orother static storage device coupled to the bus 510 for storing staticinformation, including instructions, that is not changed by the computersystem 500. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses theinformation stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 510is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 508, such as a magneticdisk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, includinginstructions, that persists even when the computer system 500 is turnedoff or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions for retrieving ordered content via aservice endpoint, is provided to the bus 510 for use by the processorfrom an external input device 512, such as a keyboard containingalphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensordetects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections intophysical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used torepresent information in computer system 500. Other external devicescoupled to bus 510, used primarily for interacting with humans, includea display device 514, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquidcrystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting textor images, and a pointing device 516, such as a mouse or a trackball orcursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of asmall cursor image presented on the display 514 and issuing commandsassociated with graphical elements presented on the display 514. In someembodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system500 performs all functions automatically without human input, one ormore of external input device 512, display device 514 and pointingdevice 516 is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 520, is coupled to bus510. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operationsnot performed by processor 502 quickly enough for special purposes.Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cardsfor generating images for display 514, cryptographic boards forencrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speechrecognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as roboticarms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complexsequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented inhardware.

Computer system 500 also includes one or more instances of acommunications interface 570 coupled to bus 510. Communication interface570 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety ofexternal devices that operate with their own processors, such asprinters, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with anetwork link 578 that is connected to a local network 580 to which avariety of external devices with their own processors are connected. Forexample, communication interface 570 may be a parallel port or a serialport or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. Insome embodiments, communications interface 570 is an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or atelephone modem that provides an information communication connection toa corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, acommunication interface 570 is a cable modem that converts signals onbus 510 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cableor into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiberoptic cable. As another example, communications interface 570 may be alocal area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connectionto a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also beimplemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 570 sendsor receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic orelectromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, thatcarry information streams, such as digital data. For example, inwireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones,the communications interface 570 includes a radio band electromagnetictransmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certainembodiments, the communications interface 570 enables connection to thecommunication network 105 for the UE 101.

The term computer-readable medium is used herein to refer to any mediumthat participates in providing information to processor 502, includinginstructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media andtransmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 508. Volatile media include, forexample, dynamic memory 504. Transmission media include, for example,coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves thattravel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves andelectromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves.Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency,phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through thetransmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium,punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical mediumwith patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, aPROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Theterm computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to anycomputer-readable medium except transmission media.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both ofprocessor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and specialpurpose hardware, such as ASIC 520.

Network link 578 typically provides information communication usingtransmission media through one or more networks to other devices thatuse or process the information. For example, network link 578 mayprovide a connection through local network 580 to a host computer 582 orto equipment 584 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISPequipment 584 in turn provides data communication services through thepublic, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networksnow commonly referred to as the Internet 590. A computer called a serverhost 592 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides aservice in response to information received over the Internet. Forexample, server host 592 hosts a process that provides informationrepresenting video data for presentation at display 514.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use ofcomputer system 500 for implementing some or all of the techniquesdescribed herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, thosetechniques are performed by computer system 500 in response to processor502 executing one or more sequences of one or more processorinstructions contained in memory 504. Such instructions, also calledcomputer instructions, software and program code, may be read intomemory 504 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device508 or network link 578. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in memory 504 causes processor 502 to perform one or more ofthe method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware,such as ASIC 520, may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the inventionare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software,unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 578 and other networks throughcommunications interface 570, carry information to and from computersystem 500. Computer system 500 can send and receive information,including program code, through the networks 580, 590 among others,through network link 578 and communications interface 570. In an exampleusing the Internet 590, a server host 592 transmits program code for aparticular application, requested by a message sent from computer 500,through Internet 590, ISP equipment 584, local network 580 andcommunications interface 570. The received code may be executed byprocessor 502 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 504 or instorage device 508 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, orboth. In this manner, computer system 500 may obtain application programcode in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 502 forexecution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carriedon a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 582. The remotecomputer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory andsends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. Amodem local to the computer system 500 receives the instructions anddata on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convertthe instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier waveserving as the network link 578. An infrared detector serving ascommunications interface 570 receives the instructions and data carriedin the infrared signal and places information representing theinstructions and data onto bus 510. Bus 510 carries the information tomemory 504 from which processor 502 retrieves and executes theinstructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. Theinstructions and data received in memory 504 may optionally be stored onstorage device 508, either before or after execution by the processor502.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chip set 600 upon which an embodiment of theinvention may be implemented. Chip set 600 is programmed to retrieveordered content via a service endpoint as described herein and includes,for instance, the processor and memory components described with respectto FIG. 5 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips).By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one ormore materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g.,a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physicalstrength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electricalinteraction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip setcan be implemented in a single chip. Chip set 600, or a portion thereof,constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of retrievingordered content via a service endpoint.

In one embodiment, the chip set 600 includes a communication mechanismsuch as a bus 601 for passing information among the components of thechip set 600. A processor 603 has connectivity to the bus 601 to executeinstructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory605. The processor 603 may include one or more processing cores witheach core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processorenables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of amulti-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers ofprocessing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 603 mayinclude one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 601to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, andmultithreading. The processor 603 may also be accompanied with one ormore specialized components to perform certain processing functions andtasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 607, or one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 609. A DSP 607typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) inreal time independently of the processor 603. Similarly, an ASIC 609 canbe configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed bya general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid inperforming the inventive functions described herein include one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or morecontrollers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computerchips.

The processor 603 and accompanying components have connectivity to thememory 605 via the bus 601. The memory 605 includes both dynamic memory(e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and staticmemory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructionsthat when executed perform the inventive steps described herein toretrieve ordered content via a service endpoint. The memory 605 alsostores the data associated with or generated by the execution of theinventive steps.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g.,handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the systemof FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobileterminal 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performingone or more steps of retrieving ordered content via a service endpoint.Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end andback-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses allof the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompassesall of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application,the term “circuitry” refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations(such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and(2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such asto a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s),software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, suchas a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). Thisdefinition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in thisapplication, including in any claims. As a further example, as used inthis application, the term “circuitry” would also cover animplementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its(or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term “circuitry” wouldalso cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applicationsprocessor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integratedcircuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main ControlUnit (MCU) 703, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 705, and areceiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and aspeaker gain control unit. A main display unit 707 provides a display tothe user in support of various applications and mobile terminalfunctions that offer automatic contact matching. An audio functioncircuitry 709 includes a microphone 711 and microphone amplifier thatamplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 711. Theamplified speech signal output from the microphone 711 is fed to acoder/decoder (CODEC) 713.

A radio section 715 amplifies power and converts frequency in order tocommunicate with a base station, which is included in a mobilecommunication system, via antenna 717. The power amplifier (PA) 719 andthe transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to theMCU 703, with an output from the PA 719 coupled to the duplexer 721 orcirculator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 719 alsocouples to a battery interface and power control unit 720.

In use, a user of mobile terminal 701 speaks into the microphone 711 andhis or her voice along with any detected background noise is convertedinto an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into adigital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 723. Thecontrol unit 703 routes the digital signal into the DSP 705 forprocessing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding,encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voicesignals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellulartransmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packetradio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM),Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitablewireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution(LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband codedivision multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite,and the like.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 725 for compensationof any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmissionthough the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizingthe bit stream, the modulator 727 combines the signal with a RF signalgenerated in the RF interface 729. The modulator 727 generates a sinewave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare thesignal for transmission, an up-converter 731 combines the sine waveoutput from the modulator 727 with another sine wave generated by asynthesizer 733 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. Thesignal is then sent through a PA 719 to increase the signal to anappropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 719 acts as avariable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 705 frominformation received from a network base station. The signal is thenfiltered within the duplexer 721 and optionally sent to an antennacoupler 735 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer.Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 717 to a local basestation. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control thegain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwardedfrom there to a remote telephone which may be another cellulartelephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 701 are received viaantenna 717 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)737. A down-converter 739 lowers the carrier frequency while thedemodulator 741 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream.The signal then goes through the equalizer 725 and is processed by theDSP 705. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 743 converts the signal andthe resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 745,all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 703—which can beimplemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU 703 receives various signals including input signals from thekeyboard 747. The keyboard 747 and/or the MCU 703 in combination withother user input components (e.g., the microphone 711) comprise a userinterface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 703 runs a userinterface software to facilitate user control of at least some functionsof the mobile terminal 701 to retrieve ordered content via a serviceendpoint. The MCU 703 also delivers a display command and a switchcommand to the display 707 and to the speech output switchingcontroller, respectively. Further, the MCU 703 exchanges informationwith the DSP 705 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 749and a memory 751. In addition, the MCU 703 executes various controlfunctions required of the terminal. The DSP 705 may, depending upon theimplementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digitalprocessing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 705determines the background noise level of the local environment from thesignals detected by microphone 711 and sets the gain of microphone 711to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the userof the mobile terminal 701.

The CODEC 713 includes the ADC 723 and DAC 743. The memory 751 storesvarious data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storingother data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet.The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers,or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. Thememory device 751 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD,ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storagemedium capable of storing digital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 749 carries, for instance, importantinformation, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplyingservice, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card749 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 701 on a radionetwork. The card 749 also contains a memory for storing a personaltelephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobileterminal settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with a number ofembodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited butcovers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, whichfall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of theinvention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it iscontemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination andorder.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: preloading a radio frequencymemory tag with content managed by a service platform via acommunication network, wherein the content comprises content unrelatedto the service platform; receiving a request for the content from a userequipment configured to communicate with the service platform via thecommunication network; initiating transmission of the content from thememory tag to the user equipment; and returning the memory tag to apassive mode.
 2. A method of claim 1, further comprising: activating thememory tag in response to a signal; and receiving an acknowledgementthat the content has been transferred, wherein returning the memory tagto the passive mode is in response to the acknowledgement.
 3. A methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving a location of the content fromthe user equipment, wherein the initiating transmission of the contentis based at least in part on the location.
 4. A method of claim 3,further comprising: receiving authentication information from the userequipment; and determining that the user equipment has properauthentication credentials to receive the content, wherein theinitiating transmission of the content is based at least in part on thedetermination.
 5. A method of claim 1, wherein the content is a subsetof a complete content and wherein a second portion of the completecontent is located on a second memory tag, the method furthercomprising: determining a location of the second portion by the memorytag; and initiating transmission of the location of the second portionfrom the memory tag to the user equipment.
 6. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus toperform at least the following, preload a radio frequency memory tagwith content managed by a service platform via a communication network,wherein the content comprises content unrelated to the service platform;receive a request for the content from a user equipment configured tocommunicate with the service platform via the communication network;initiate transmission of the content from the memory tag to the userequipment; and return the memory tag to a passive mode.
 7. An apparatusof claim 6, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: activate thememory tag in response to a signal; and receive an acknowledgement thatthe content has been transferred, wherein the return of the memory tagto the passive mode is in response to the acknowledgement.
 8. Anapparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:receive a location of the content from the user equipment, wherein theinitiating transmission of the content is based at least in part on thelocation.
 9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is furthercaused to: receive authentication information from the user equipment;and determine that the user equipment has proper authenticationcredentials to receive the content, wherein the initiating transmissionof the content is based at least in part on the determination.
 10. Anapparatus of claim 6, wherein the content is a subset of a completecontent, wherein a second portion of the complete content is located ona second memory tag, and wherein the apparatus is further caused to:determine a location of the second portion by the memory tag; andinitiate transmission of the location of the second portion from thememory tag to the user equipment.
 11. A method comprising: generating arequest for content stored on a radio frequency memory tag of anendpoint associated with a service platform via a communication network,wherein the content comprises content unrelated to the service platform;initiating transmission of the request to the endpoint; and receivingthe content from the memory tag in response to the request.
 12. A methodof claim 11, further comprising: initiating transmission of anactivation signal; and initiating transmission of an acknowledgementthat the content has been transferred.
 13. A method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving a location of the content from the serviceplatform; and initiating transmission of the location of the content tothe endpoint.
 14. A method of claim 11, further comprising: receivingauthentication information from the service platform; receivingavailability information from the service platform; and initiatingtransmission of the authentication information to the endpoint.
 15. Amethod of claim 11, wherein the content is a subset of a completecontent and wherein a second portion of the complete content is locatedon a second memory tag of the endpoint, the method further comprising:receiving the second portion of the content from the second memory tag.16. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least onememory including computer program code, the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, generate arequest for content stored on a radio frequency memory tag of anendpoint associated with a service platform via a communication network,wherein the content comprises content unrelated to the service platform;initiate transmission of the request to the endpoint; and receive thecontent from the memory tag in response to the request.
 17. An apparatusof claim 16, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: initiatetransmission of an activation signal; and initiate transmission of anacknowledgement that the content has been transferred.
 18. An apparatusof claim 16, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive alocation of the content from the service platform; and initiatetransmission of the location of the content to the endpoint.
 19. Anapparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:receive authentication information from the service platform; receiveavailability information from the service platform; and initiatetransmission of the authentication information to the endpoint.
 20. Anapparatus of claim 16, wherein the content is a subset of a completecontent, wherein a second portion of the complete content is located ona second memory tag of the endpoint, and wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to: receive the second portion of the complete contentfrom the second memory tag.